McCarty replaces injured Sturgis for Olympics.

Dax McCarty played two years of college soccer at North Carolina (2004-05) before turning pro in Major League Soccer.-- UNC Athletic Communications photo by Jeffrey A. Camarati --

(Thursday, July 24, 2008) -- Midfielder Dax McCarty has been added to the United States men's Olympic team, replacing defender Nathan Sturgis, who injured his right hamstring in training and will miss the Summer Games.

McCarty, who plays with FC Dallas of Major League Soccer, joined the Olympic team in Palo Alto, Calif., this morning in advance of its departure tomorrow for the ING Cup in Hong Kong.

Sturgis aggravated his right hamstring, which was first injured several weeks ago while playing for Real Salt Lake in MLS.

McCarty played a key role in the Americans' successful run through CONCACAF Olympic qualifying in March, being one of four U.S. players to be named to the tournament's Best XI. He played in four games, totaling 270 minutes, including 90 in the semifinal triumph over Canada that propelled the U.S. into the Olympics in Beijing.

McCarty represented the U.S. in the 2007 Under-20 Men's World Championship. Prior to that, he played two years (2004-05) of college ball at North Carolina, recording four goals and 11 assists in 45 games before entering the MLS draft.

McCarty, 21, becomes the second player from University of North Carolina to make the U.S. Olympics team. Defender Eddie Pope was the first in 1996.

The U.S. will compete in the difficult Group B at the Olympic Games. The Americans open against Japan August 7 before facing the Netherlands on August 10 with both games taking place at the Olympic Sports Center Stadium in Tianjin. The team then travels to Worker's Stadium in Beijing to conclude group play against 1996 gold medalist and 2005 Under-20 World Cup champion Nigeria on August 13.